Many people in the world believe that a new year begins on January 1st.  They often stay up late the evening before and attend parties complete with fireworks and elaborate feasting.  Many people might also wish you a “Happy New Year!”  But what should you believe as a Follower  of Yahweh?

      Our modern calendars have their roots in paganism.  Yahweh’s true new year begins in the spring time when new life is beginning to spring forth—-flowers are blooming and sunshine is becoming more prevalent.  This is the time we also observe Passover and Unleavened Bread.  A new month begins with the sighting of the brand new crescent moon.  We observe the Spring Holy days in the month of Abib, which means “green ears,” occurring in either March or April.

      Pagan peoples in the past were sun worshippers.  The dark days of winter brought great fear upon them as they wondered if the sun would ever shine upon the earth again!  They practiced many rituals in an attempt to please their sun deity so that he  would send the sun back to warm the earth so that they could plant crops once again for food.  Many of these practices were abhorrent to Yahweh!  He strongly condemns pagan practices in the pages of His Word.  We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  Don’t get caught up in the ways of the world!